Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Two Jeep Wrangler Unlimited editions broke through the world record by climbing 6,646 meters to the volcano’s tip. Its one impressive feat since the achievement is one not likely to be beaten easily, as Guinness World Records have claimed. The two Wrangler Unlimited vehicles were standard equipment Rubicon models. Both vehicles are also equipped with electronic altitude measuring technology and winches. The two editions were also fitted with an open-air design, allotting five passengers on the cabin (a Wrangler first).

Ojos del Salado in the Chilean Andes (the second highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere and now called as the “highest parking lot in the world”) is where the two daring Jeeps scampered about for over five exhausting days last March. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited vehicles hauled a team from Extrem Events (Germany) led by Mattias Jeschke from the base of the menacing crater of the volcano.

The volcano is actually the highest point that a four-wheeled vehicle has traveled and that’s something Jeep should be proud of. During the entire excursion, the team endured unpleasant weather conditions such as strong winds, cold temperatures that reached minus 30 degrees Centigrade as the two Jeeps maneuvered over curved terrains, fissured rock cliffs, volcanic sand and rigid glaciers. It took several bold moves to accomplish the trip in which the team took credit for high-peak performance parts of the two Jeep Wranglers. The last stretch of the climb was the most grueling task. Both Wrangler Unlimited vehicles had to cross a glacier. At the far end of the glacier field, an ice crevice strewn with razor sharp snow penitents has made it more arduous for the team. It was here that the vehicle’s 3.8-liter V6 engine and Goodyear’s MT/R tires proved their true capability and made the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited the first vehicle to ever cross the Ojos del Salado glacier. Just beyond the glacier, the team continued to carry on and pushed forward until there was nowhere left to turn to. Descriptions uttered by Jescke were “unbelievable, tremendous, phenomenal”. The realization hit them like a ton of bricks as the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited editions were totally unbeatable and almost invincible.

George Murphy, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President of Global Marketing enthused proudly, “This was exactly the challenge to separate the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited from all other 4x4 vehicles. A climb like this is not just off-road, but extreme conditions, is a testament to the performance of the vehicle’s powertrain, suspension and overall quality. We are very proud that Wrangler Unlimited was the first vehicle to be able to complete such a rigorous challenge and believe that it really does set the vehicle apart from its competition.”